—Directions to ensure point-wise compliance with High Court orders and take prompt action on technical reports
—Structural rehabilitation works worth Rs 27.41 crore underway in the first phase; work completed in 17 of 24 courtrooms
Jaipur, August 2026 : Chief Secretary V. Srinivas on Monday reviewed the structural rehabilitation and safety-related works at the Rajasthan High Court building in Jodhpur at the State Secretariat. He directed officials to complete all works on a priority basis within the stipulated timeline and ensure point-wise compliance with the directions issued by the High Court. In view of the upcoming hearing, he also instructed all concerned departments to coordinate and keep factual and updated progress reports ready.
The Chief Secretary said there must be no compromise on the structural safety of the building. He directed officials to obtain the detailed technical report from IIT Bombay at the earliest and take necessary action based on its findings. Reviewing the expenditure incurred on the construction of the building and deficiencies observed during its construction, he said accountability must be fixed in the entire matter and disciplinary action, wherever required, should be initiated within a stipulated timeframe. He directed the Public Works Department to ensure an effective process for fixing responsibility.
Srinivas also reviewed the tests conducted so far by technical experts and their findings. He instructed officials to obtain pending technical reports promptly and take immediate action on their recommendations. The meeting also reviewed compliance with the directions issued on August 17 and the Action Taken Report. This was the third review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary on the matter.
Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Praveen Gupta said structural rehabilitation works under the first phase, costing Rs 27.41 crore, are being carried out in highly and moderately sensitive areas according to the technical methodology approved by IIT Bombay. Work on 17 of the 24 courtrooms on the first floor has been completed. Necessary safety and rehabilitation works, including roof waterproofing and work in the central dome and other sensitive areas, are also underway.
Gupta said administrative and financial approval of Rs 30.24 crore has already been issued for the second phase, with work targeted to begin from September 20. Regarding the central dome, he said an interim non-destructive test had indicated that there was no immediate risk of collapse. Further action will be taken based on the detailed report from IIT Bombay.
The Rajasthan High Court had taken suo motu cognisance on August 10, 2026, of the structural deficiencies, including issues related to the central dome of the principal bench building in Jodhpur. Since then, the state government has been regularly reviewing the safety and rehabilitation works and compliance with the court's directions.
Additional Chief Secretary Praveen Gupta, the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, and senior officials from the Finance and Law departments and RSRDC attended the meeting. Representatives of IIT Jodhpur and IIT Bombay, along with other concerned officials, participated through video conferencing.
